Karen Ross has tried many diets over the years.
But it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that she became even more determined to be healthy – and get fit.
She recently started following a health and wellbeing programme recommended by one of her friends.
I’m not dreading seeing a reflection of myself in a shop window – it’s definitely given me a lot more confidence in myself”
Karen Ross
And not only has she now lost four-and-a-half stones, she’s started taking up challenges she thought she would be “too big” to do before, including a 26-mile walk.
‘It was embarrassing chopping myself out of a photo’
Karen, who works as a marketing administrator for FG Burnett, started a Feel Look Be programme two years ago.
The 52-year-old started her weight loss journey that summer after the shock of seeing herself in a photograph at a charity event.
“The turning point for me was February 2020,” she says. “We were supporting VSA as our nominated charity and we had to do the fun cheque handover.
“I work in PR and marketing and when I saw the photo I thought ‘oh my gosh I’m not putting myself on social media’.
“There was a group of us and I was right at the end so I chopped myself out.
“That was my A-ha moment. I just remember the embarrassment and feeling that I had to cut myself out of the photo.”
Losing weight: Cutting out snacks helped
Karen, of Aberdeen, learned how to change her mindset towards food by following a programme created by Dundee health coach Shelley Booth.
She cut out biscuits and other sugary snacks and focused on the food plans provided making sure she ate three nutritious meals a day.
“I’ve been a yo-yo dieter all my life,” she explained. “This is the first time I’ve actually found something that’s been sustainable for me.
“I guess for the first time in my adult life I’ve got a healthy attitude towards food.”
Karen, who has dropped from a size 18 to a size 10, has also taken up exercise to get fit and enjoys going out walking, playing tennis and yoga.
Now it’s a case of keeping up with her new healthy routine and not slipping back into old habits of buying ready meals and snacking.
‘I have a lot more confidence’
“I feel like I’m a better version of myself,” she says.
“I’m not dreading seeing a reflection of myself in a shop window – it’s definitely given me a lot more confidence in myself.”
Karen will be taking on the 26-mile Mighty Stride with friends from her work at the Aberdeen Kiltwalk event on May 29.
They’ll be raising money for UCAN in support of one of their colleagues who was diagnosed with a tumour on one of his kidneys last year.
He underwent treatment and was supported by the charity during this time.
To help Karen reach her fundraising target ahead by the end of the month visit her fundraising page.
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Conversation